No abstract

In a retrospective study, covering the period from 1986 to 1995, tissues of aborted fetuses were re-examined. A total of 347 cases were tested immunohistochemically, among them samples of 223 brains were examined for Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Bovine Virus Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV), and 249 placentae for Chlamydiaceae. Two real-time PCR assays, one for N. caninum, and one for T. gondii, were developed. These potential abortion-inducing agents were detected - and confirmed by PCR, except for BVDV - in 16.1% (N. caninum), 0% (T. gondii), 9.9% (BVDV) and 0.8% (Chlamydiales) of the cases examined. Immunohistochemistry proved to be inadequate for the detection of the protozoal epitopes, whereas it was confirmed as a very useful tool for the detection of BVDV. In abortion material, PCR is considered to be more suitable for the detection of protozoa and Chlamydophila abortus, an adequate sampling presupposed.

A case of bovine abortion was for the first time in Switzerland diagnosed by immunohistochemistry PCR (16S rRNA, ompA) and gene sequence analysis to be caused by Chlamydia psittaci. A possible occurence of further cases has to be investigated. Based on the existence of several methods with very different sensitivity and specificity to diagnose chlamydia it is suggested that at least two verified diagnostic tools should be used to diagnose an involvement of chlamydia in bovine abortion.

Fast growing mycobacteria are saprophytic bacteria that prevail in water and soil. They are opportunistic pathogens and may cause various infections if gaining entry into the body through a trauma. We herein describe the clinical presentation, pathology and diagnosis of the first case of cutaneous atypical mycobacteriosis due to Mycobacterium massiliense in a cat.